'Absolute legend' Copper Knight scorches to sixth York win before big crowds

Local star Copper Knight was greeted with cheers as the Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor meeting returned to normal after two years of disruption.

Having been run behind closed doors in 2020, the north's most prestigious meeting of the season drew a crowd of near-20,000 people to a restriction-free Knavesmire.

The opening 5f handicap was won by popular seven-year-old Copper Knight, who was scoring his sixth York win.

He is trained in Malton by Tim Easterby, who said:"He just loves it here. This trip helps as he's not quite as quick as he used to be. He's easy to train and is just a super horse."

York Wednesday racecards and betting

Jockey David Allan added: "He's an absolute legend in the yard. I've not had a feel like that off him for a couple of years. I thought it was good ground – perfect for him."

The winning time of 1min 3.11sec was 0.41 sec above Racing Post standard on ground described officially as good.

William Buick said: "It's beautiful good ground" and Danny Tudhope said: "It's good fast ground" but Oisin Murphy warned: "It is not good to firm in places yet but it is likely to be if this wind keeps up."

Among the crowd cheering home the first winner were Steve and Sue Johnson, a married couple from St Helens who were staying in nearby Harrogate for the night and were delighted to be back at the Ebor meeting.

"Racing and theatre are our two passions," Steve said. "We're going down to Stratford to see The Comedy of Errors tomorrow.

"We've come to this meeting three or four times before and it's great to be back. We've watched it on TV but it's not the same as being here.

"It's good to be in a crowd, mixing with people and to be back to normal – though we're still being careful: we wore masks on public transport today."

If you want more on the 2021 Ebor festival:

'One of our biggest losers of the week' – bookmakers share their big York fears

2021 Juddmonte International at York: the runners, the odds, the verdict

Ebor picks: eight experts pick out their dark horses to follow at York this week

Racing Post exclusive offer. New customers can get £30 in free bets. First single & e/w bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 6 x £5 bet token. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets redeemable on horse racing only. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.